Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner

Kardigan; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 274,000 - 357,000; Full time

Job summary

Kardigan is seeking an experienced Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner to advise senior leaders and lead People & Culture initiatives at our South San Francisco site.

The role shapes workforce strategies and fosters a high‑performance, inclusive culture aligned with Kardigan’s mission. At least 15 years of HR experience and a strong business partnership background are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years HR experience with at least 5 years as a strategic business partner to senior leadership.
• Biotech/Pharma experience is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in workforce planning and organizational development.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site lead for Kardigan’s South San Francisco location, aligning with company-wide People & Culture strategies.
• Act as strategic advisor to senior leaders across functions on organizational design and talent strategy.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Drive initiatives for employee engagement, performance management, and leadership development.
• Collaborate with centers of excellence to support growth and employee experience.

Skills

Strategic partnership

Workforce planning

Employee relations

Leadership coaching

Change management

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in HR or related field

Job description

About Us

Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world. It is Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve. Led by Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co‑founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020. We have a cutting‑edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late‑stage candidates, and an industry‑leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients. At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families , we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic —leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn , we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries. These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.

Position Title: Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner

Department: People & Culture

Reports To: Chief People Officer

Location: South San Francisco, CA – On-site 4 days per week (Mon to Thurs)

Job Overview

Kardigan is seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Director, People & Culture Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across multiple functions and lead People & Culture initiatives at our South San Francisco, CA site. This role will be instrumental in shaping and executing workforce strategies that align with Kardigan’s mission and values, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and purpose-driven culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the People & Culture site lead for Kardigan’s South San Francisco location, ensuring alignment with company-wide People & Culture strategies and values.
• Act as a strategic business partner to senior leaders across Research, Translational, New Targets, Discovery Research, and other functions, providing guidance on organizational design, talent strategy, and change management.
• Lead workforce planning efforts, including headcount forecasting, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Drive initiatives that support employee engagement, performance management, and leadership development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of People & Culture programs and policies.
• Champion Kardigan’s values and culture, fostering an environment of authenticity, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Provide coaching and counsel to leaders and managers on team dynamics, employee relations, performance, and development.
• Partner with People & Culture centers of excellence including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and Learning & Development to support Kardigan’s growth and employee experience.

Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a strategic business partner role supporting senior leadership. Experience in Biotech/Pharma highly desirable.
• Proven experience in workforce planning, employee relations, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated experience as a strategic talent advisor to executive and senior leaders across scientific functions, including Research, Translational Sciences, New Targets, and Discovery Research.
• Proven success partnering with executive leaders to scale both site-based operations and functional organizations during periods of rapid growth and organizational evolution.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Passion for building inclusive, mission-driven cultures that prioritize patients and people.

Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location. Pay range $274,000 — $357,000 USD